U.S. patent application number 16/025775 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for device for loading of bulk carriers and loading method.
The applicant listed for this patent is VALE S.A.. Invention is credited to Adriano Cirino SALLES.
Application Number | 20190002059 16/025775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64735215 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190002059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SALLES; Adriano Cirino |
January 3, 2019 |
DEVICE FOR LOADING OF BULK CARRIERS AND LOADING METHOD
Abstract
This disclosure refers to a device for assisting in the loading
of bulk carriers even in rainy weather. Such device comprises: a
smooth hose configured to be inserted into the opening of the hatch
of the storage hold cover of the ship; a folding hose placed above
the smooth hose and configured to absorb the movements of the bulk
carrier relative to the device; an upper flange for fastening the
device to the free end of the nozzle of the ship loader; and a
lower flange configured to connect the device to the hatch opening
of the storage hold cover of the ship. The disclosure also includes
a method of loading bulk carriers using the device.
Inventors: |
SALLES; Adriano Cirino;
(Serra, BR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VALE S.A. |
Rio de Janeiro |
|
BR |
|
|
Family ID: |
64735215 |
Appl. No.: |
16/025775 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 67/606 20130101;
B63B 27/28 20130101; B65G 69/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 27/28 20060101
B63B027/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 3, 2017 |
BR |
102017014425-9 |
Claims
1. A device for loading of bulk carriers through ship loaders which
comprise a nozzle, wherein the device is attached to a free end of
the nozzle and comprises: a smooth hose of a slightly conical
tubular structure configured to allow the passage of material
therein; a flexibly shaped folding hose arranged linearly above the
smooth hose; an upper flange secured to an upper end of the folding
hose; and a lower flange attached to a lower end of the folding
hose, located at the end opposite the upper flange.
2. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
wherein the smooth hose is configured to enter an opening of a
hatch of a storage hold of the bulk carrier.
3. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
wherein the upper flange is configured to fasten the device with
the nozzle of the ship loader.
4. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 3,
wherein the upper flange is attached to the nozzle of the ship
loader by fixing screws.
5. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
wherein the lower flange is configured to allow the connection of
the device with an opening of a hatch of a storage hold cover of
the bulk carrier.
6. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 5,
wherein the lower flange is connected to the opening of the hatch
of the storage hold cover of the bulk carrier by a fitting, making
this opening capable of being sealed.
7. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 5,
wherein the lower flange is attached to the lower end of the
folding hose and to an upper end of the smooth hose, causing the
smooth hose to pass through the lower flange.
8. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
wherein the diameter of the lower end of the smooth hose varies
according to the diameter of the hatch in which it will be
introduced.
9. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
wherein the smooth hose is resistant to abrasiveness and shearing
generated in a hose wall by friction of the material to be
discharged.
10. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
wherein the folding hose is resistant to abrasiveness and shearing
generated in a hose wall by friction of the material to be
discharged, and is flexible enough to absorb small movements of the
ship, preventing them from damaging the device and the nozzle of
the ship loader, in addition to being rigid enough to support the
material flow without folding or choking the flow.
11. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 1,
further comprising ratchets arranged in the upper and lower end of
the folding hose, associated by a tape, configured to compress the
folding hose when a hold cover is fully open.
12. A method of loading of bulk carriers, comprising: attaching a
device to the free end of a nozzle of a ship loader through an
upper flange; positioning the ship loader, placing the nozzle above
the opening of a hatch of a storage hold cover of a bulk carrier;
positioning and attaching the device to the opening of the hatch of
the storage hold of the bulk carrier. loading bulk material into
the storage hold of the bulk carrier through the device; and
dissociating the device from the opening of the hatch of the
storage hold of the bulk carrier.
13. The method of loading of bulk carriers, according to claim 12,
wherein, the positioning the device comprises inserting the smooth
hose into the hatch opening of the storage hold cover and the
attaching comprises fitting the lower flange with the hatch opening
of the storage hold cover.
14. The method of loading of bulk carriers, according to claim 12,
wherein the positioning the ship loader, positioning and attaching
the device, loading of the bulk material, and dissociating the
device are repeated until all storage holds of the bulk carriers
are loaded.
15. The device for loading bulk carriers according to claim 6,
wherein the lower flange is attached to the lower end of the
folding hose and to the upper end of the smooth hose, causing the
smooth hose to pass through the lower flange.
Description
INVENTION FIELD
[0001] This invention consists of a device for loading bulk
carriers as well as a method of loading ships using the device of
this invention.
INVENTION BACKGROUNDS
[0002] The ship loading operation is an operation of extreme
importance for the transport of various materials, in situ bulk
materials. Bulk material can vary in various types of material such
as ore, fertilizers and food, thus being a very common operation in
many types of industry.
[0003] The loading of VLOCs is carried out by means of equipment
known as a ship loader, which basically consists of a movable base,
a boom, and a cargo discharge nozzle.
[0004] The mobile base consists of a structure associated with
rails arranged on the dock, allowing the equipment to travel under
these rails by means of a travel system. In addition, the movable
base also allows a rotational movement of its boom by means of a
rotation system. There are also ship loaders with fixed base,
realizing the movement only of the boom, that is, not traveling in
rails.
[0005] The boom consists of a structure fixed to the movable base,
thus allowing the ship loader to reach the ship to be loaded. It
has a conveyor belt inside, allowing to transport bulk material
from the moving base to the cargo discharge nozzle.
[0006] The cargo discharge nozzle consists of a tubular structure
where the material is discharged from the conveyor belt and
directed to the storage holds of the ships being loaded.
[0007] Ships to be loaded, in this case, cargo ships for bulk
material, have a storage hold where cargo is stored during
transportation. These storage holds must necessarily be closed to
prevent bad weather from contaminating the material inside. If
there is contact of the material with water, which occurs mainly in
the case of food grains and fertilizers, the material will be
damaged.
[0008] There are several types and models of covers for storage
holds of VLOCs, the most common of which are rolling and folded
type. In the rolling type, the covers are pushed and traveled to
perform the opening of the storage hold, while in the folded type
the covers are folded to form a concertina and, thus, open the
storage hold.
[0009] Thus, in the prior art, in order to carry out the loading of
the VLOC, it is necessary to open those covers to allow the access
of the ship loader nozzle to the interior of the storage hold,
leaving the material already in storage inside the storage basement
and which is being loaded damagingly exposed to local weather.
[0010] When there is a forecast of rainfall or effectively rainy
weather and therefore high winds, ship loading must be interrupted
due to the exposure necessarily caused by the opening of the
storage hold covers, obviously not being able to load the material
to the ship with the covers closed.
[0011] Therefore, a device enabling VLOCs to be loaded by ship
loaders even in rainy weather and high winds is of utmost
importance and interest.
[0012] In the prior art, there are some patent documents which
disclose equipment and devices to assist in loading ships even in
rainy weathers.
[0013] Document EP0002377A1 discloses a device for loading VLOCs,
reducing the emission of dust and allowing the loading to be
carried out even in the rain. Such a device consists of a transfer
pipeline provided with a waterproofing cover, and this pipeline is
arranged to pass through a protection of the cargo hold in order to
prevent rain from entering and the emission of dust.
[0014] The device of document EP0002377A1 comprises a folding
cover, a transfer pipeline, a ring, and a protection. The
protection consists of flexible protection or any other type of
protection configured to prevent water or contaminants from
entering the cargo hold of the ship.
[0015] The transfer pipeline passes through such protection so that
the material to be loaded into the ship passes through it and is
dumped into the cargo hold. Such a transfer pipeline is composed of
a folding cover configured to guarantee the protection of the
pipeline from possible contamination by rainwater and allow a small
movement of the pipeline without damaging it.
[0016] The aforementioned folding cover has a ring at its end,
which is used to associate the protection to the pipeline cover. In
this way, the ring, together with the cover and the protection,
prevents the water from entering the pipeline or the cargo hold of
the ship.
[0017] However, the device of document EP0002377A1 requires a
protective cover to be attached to the opening of the storage hold,
requiring a long operating time and a high cost of making such a
cover due to the size of the hold opening, which is approximately
400 m.sup.2.
[0018] In addition, in rainy weather and high winds, it is
extremely difficult to install this protective cover, requiring
other equipment to carry out the positioning and placing workers at
risk to carry out their fixation.
[0019] Another document of the prior art is WO2014167417A2, which
discloses a device for performing the loading of VLOCs in rainy
weathers. Such device consists of a cargo hold cover formed by
movable panels, one of said panels being provided with a hole for
insertion of a pipeline for discharging/loading of material.
[0020] The device of WO2014167417A2 comprises a plurality of
panels, a central panel, an opening, and wheels. The panels are
overlapped so that they can move between them, thus forming the
cargo hold cover of the ship. Such panels are associated by flanges
at their ends, which guarantee the cover seal, preventing the entry
of water or impurities.
[0021] The central panel is different from the other panels, as it
contains a passing opening arranged in its structure. Such opening
is configured to allow a bulk material feed pipeline to be
introduced therein, and to discharge material into the cargo hold
of the ship, thereby performing its loading.
[0022] The bulk material pipeline is provided with a cover, which
prevents water from entering the opening of the panel while loading
of material. The wheels are arranged in the end panels, allowing
the entire cover to be moved easily.
[0023] However, document WO2014167417A2 also requires a structure
to be installed in the storage hold of the ship to prevent
contamination of the material therein or being loaded, thereby
causing a large time to carry out the installation of such a
structure.
[0024] In addition, the installation of this structure occurs with
extreme difficulty in rainy weather with strong winds,
necessitating other equipment items to perform both the positioning
and the installation of this structure in the storage hold of the
ship.
[0025] Nevertheless, the devices proposed by prior art patent
documents, in the event of collapse of their structures, cause
damage to the cargo due to contamination with the water disposed in
the ruptured structure and the physical contamination of the cargo
with the shrapnel of the structure. Another disadvantage of prior
art documents is that with none of them it is possible to realize
their use irrespective of the type of opening of the cover of the
cargo hold, either rolling or folding, each structure being
specific for each type of opening of the cover of the hold.
[0026] Therefore, there is no device in the prior art for loading
VLOCs in rainy weather with compact structure and low manufacturing
cost.
[0027] Additionally, there is no device in the prior art for
loading VLOCs in rainy weather that does not require a robust
structure to be attached to protect the material inside the storage
hold of ships.
INVENTION PURPOSES
[0028] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for
loading bulk carriers (VLOCs) by means of ship loaders, having a
compact structure and low cost of manufacture.
[0029] The purpose of this invention is also to provide a device
for loading VLOCs by means of ship loaders which do not require a
robust structure to protect the material inside the storage hold of
ships.
[0030] This purpose of this invention is also to provide a method
for loading VLOCs using the device for ship loading, which can
perform the loading of ships in a fast, practical, and safe
way.
INVENTION SUMMARY
[0031] According to the precepts of a preferred mode of this
invention, it is described here a device for loading bulk carriers
(VLOCs) by means of ship loaders comprising a nozzle. Such device
is attached to the free end of the nozzle and comprises: a smooth
hose of a slightly conical tubular structure configured to allow
the passage of material therein; a flexibly shaped folding hose
similar to a concertina arranged linearly above the smooth hose; an
upper flange secured to the upper end of the folding hose; and a
lower flange disposed at the upper end of the smooth hose and at
the lower end of the folding hose, i.e. at the end opposite the
upper flange. The attachment of the device to the nozzle of the
ship loader is accomplished by means of the upper flange.
[0032] It is important to note that the lower flange is configured
to allow the connection of the device with a hatch opening of the
storage hold cover of the VLOC. The smooth hose is configured to
enter the hatch opening of the storage hold cover of the VLOC and
allow a flow of material to pass therethrough towards the storage
hold. The folding hose is configured to absorb the movements
performed by the VLOC relative to the device.
[0033] The upper flange is attached to the nozzle of the ship
loader by means of fastening devices, for example, fastening
screws, and the lower flange is connected to the hatch opening of
the cargo hold cover hatch of the VLOC by means of a socket.
[0034] The preferred embodiment of the present invention also
relates to a method of loading bulk carriers, comprising the steps
of: securing the device to the free end of the ship loader's nozzle
by the upper flange; positioning the ship loader, positioning the
nozzle above the hatch opening of the storage hold over of the
VLOC; positioning and connecting the device with the opening hatch
of the storage hold cover of the VLOC; loading the bulk material
into the storage hold of the ship by means of the device; and
dissociating the device with the opening hatch of the storage hold
cover of the VLOC.
[0035] The step of positioning the device consists of inserting the
smooth hose into the hatch opening of the storage hold cover and
the attachment consists of fitting the lower flange with the hatch
opening of the storage hold cover.
[0036] After attaching the device to the free end of the nozzle of
the ship loader via the upper flange, all other steps are repeated
until all the storage holds of the VLOCs are loaded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0037] This invention is more described in detail, based on its
figures:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred layout of the ship
loader device.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ship loader device being
positioned on the hatch.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ship loader device
attached to the hatch.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ship loading by using
the ship loader device.
[0042] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the smooth and
folding hose of the ship loader device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0043] The subject matter of this invention will be detailed
hereinafter by way of example and not limiting, since both the
materials and methods per se disclosed herein may comprise
different details and procedures without departing from the scope
of the invention, which will be defined in the claims.
[0044] In a preferred mode of this invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a
device 13 for loading bulk carriers (VLOCs) by means of a ship
loader 7 (FIG. 4). Such device 13 is attached to the end of the
nozzle 6 of the ship loader 7, allowing its installation and
removal when necessary, and may be employed in rainy or non-rainy
weather.
[0045] As it can be seen from FIG. 2, the device 13 allows loading
of the ship by means of its association with the hatch 5 of the
storage hold cover 10 of the ship, avoiding the use of heavy and
sturdy structures to protect of the material inside the hold.
[0046] The hatch 5 of the storage hold cover 10 consists of a small
opening arranged in the hold covers 10, allowing opening or closing
when necessary to access the hold without it being necessary to
open completely the covers 10.
[0047] Therefore, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that, in order to carry
out the loading of the VLOC, the device 13, fixed to the nozzle 6
of the ship loader 7, is associated with the opening of the hatch 5
of the cargo hold cover 10, sealing the hatch 5 opening and
allowing the material to be discharged into the storage hold
without contact with rainwater or other contaminants.
[0048] The ship loading device 13 preferably comprises a smooth
hose 1, a folding hose 2, an upper flange 3, and a lower flange 4,
as shown in FIG. 1.
[0049] The smooth hose 1 consists of a slightly conical tubular
structure, with a transverse section similar to the opening of the
hatch 5, configured to ensure and allow the flow of bulk material
to be discharged by the device 13 during loading. FIG. 2 shows the
smooth hose 1 entering the hatch 5 and, in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is
possible to visualize said smooth hose 1 already introduced in the
hatch 5, and the lower flange 4 sealing the opening. In this way,
the flow of material is not interrupted or changed as the material
exits the nozzle 6 of ship loader 7, enters the device 13, and is
discharged into the hold of the VLOC.
[0050] The smooth hose manufacturing material 1 is preferably a
natural rubber, reinforced with nylon layers and resistant to
abrasion and impact, suitable for applications with abrasive and/or
corrosive fluids. However, other types of materials or rubbers may
be used for making the smooth hose 1, being only essential that it
cannot be damaged by the flow of abrasive bulk material therein,
nor does it interfere with the flow of material while loading.
[0051] In its preferred mode, the smooth hose 1 has a diameter
equal to the diameter of the nozzle 6 of the ship loader 7. The
hose 1 may be changed when necessary, i.e. when the ship to be
docked has hatch 5 diameter of the cargo hold cover 10 smaller than
the nozzle diameter or if it is damaged. This exchange is carried
out by means of quick coupling device in an easy and agile way.
Each smooth hose 1 has different diameters to suit a wider range of
ships since there is no standardization of hatch size.
[0052] The smooth hose 1 has a diameter at its upper end equal to
the diameter of the folding hose 2. The diameter of its lower end
is smaller, being slightly conical, as previously said. This
slightly conical shape of the smooth hose 1 makes it possible to
fit into the opening of the hatch 5. When it is necessary to use
the smooth hose 1 with a small diameter, it is necessary to reduce
the flow of material so that it does not get clogged.
[0053] The folding hose 2 is flexible and has a concertina-like
shape, being fixed linearly to the upper end of the smooth hose 1
and arranged above the latter. The fastening of the folding hose 2
with the smooth hose 1 is preferably accomplished by means of
quick-release tabs, allowing easy replacement thereof when
necessary.
[0054] The importance of the folding hose 2, and the differential
which makes the invention feasible, is the absorption of ship
movements, caused due to tidal variation, and movements of the ship
loader 7, without transmitting the efforts for such equipment or to
the ship, ensuring the structural integrity of these, and still
allowing the product to flow. Therefore, the folding hose 2 has the
function of absorbing and softening small movements, preventing
them from damaging the equipment involved in the operation, i.e.,
the device 13, the hatch 5, and the nozzle 6 of the ship loader
7.
[0055] The material used to manufacture the folding hose 2 is
preferably made of natural rubber (inner part) and synthetic rubber
(outer part), reinforced with nylon layers and resistant to
abrasion and impact. This material is suitable for applications
with abrasive and/or corrosive fluids, having special
characteristics regarding hardness, tensile strength, rupture
strength, tear strength, specific gravity, resilience, and working
temperature in accordance with ABNT EB 362 of 1974 (Classification
system of vulcanized elastomeric materials for general
applications).
[0056] The folding hose 2 is preferably manufactured from a
specially developed mandrel so as to impart to the folding hose 2
the final shape with the suitably integrated compounds.
[0057] The folding hose 2 and the smooth hose 1 have been developed
and manufactured specifically for this invention, the development
of which type of material is used, so as to be flexible enough to
absorb the aforementioned movements and efforts, in addition to
rigid enough to withstand the flow of material (3,000 tons/hour)
without bending and choking the flow. The material of the hoses 1
and 2 is also resistant to the abrasiveness and shear generated by
the friction of the product in the wall of the hoses 1 and 2.
[0058] Ratchets 9 are activated for compression of the folding hose
2 during conventional ship loading operation, i.e. when the hold
cover is fully open in non-rainy weather. In this loading mode, the
nozzle 6 and the ship loader 7 are permanently in movement for
stowage of the cargo inside the hold. Therefore, if the folding
hose 2 is not compressed by the ratchets, it can move freely and
eventually cause the flow to be choked.
[0059] Such ratchets 9 are arranged at the upper and lower ends of
the folding hose 2 and are joined by means of a tape 9' which is to
force a ratchet 9 against the other for the compression of the
folding hose 2.
[0060] The upper flange 3 preferably consists of a flange
configured to attach the folding hose 2 with the end of the nozzle
6 of the ship loader 7. Such attachment allows the material to
continue its flow from the nozzle 6 of the ship loader 7 to the
device without any obstruction or interference.
[0061] Such upper flange 3 can be adjusted or replaced according to
the ship loader 7 models in which it is being used, thus adapting
to all types and models of nozzles 6.
[0062] The fastening of the upper flange 3 to the end of the nozzle
6 of the ship loader 7 can be carried out by means of screws,
fittings, or even welding. In its preferred configuration, the
upper flange 3 is secured to the end of the nozzle 6 by means of
screws, thus allowing its removal when it needs to be
maintained.
[0063] The lower flange 4 consists of a flange configured to attach
the folding hose 2 with the opening of the hatch 5, as shown in
FIG. 3. The lower flange 4 is attached to the lower end of the
folding hose 2 and consequently to the upper end of the smooth hose
1, causing the smooth hose 1 to pass through the lower flange
4.
[0064] Therefore, by positioning the device 13, the lower flange 4
is connected to the opening of the hatch 5, allowing the smooth
hose 1 to be inserted for ship loading, and the opening of the
hatch 5 to be sealed.
[0065] Despite not shown in the figures, the connection of the
lower flange 4 to the hatch 5 of the storage hold cover 10 may be
accomplished by means of screws or a fitting between the lower
flange 4 and the hatch 5. In its preferred configuration, the lower
flange 4 is only engaged with the opening of the hatch 5, allowing
it to be easily associated and dissociated therefrom.
[0066] The material for making the flanges, i.e. the upper flange 3
and the lower flange 4, may be any a metal or polymer alloy
material which is resistant to the weather of the port, such as
rain, sea water, salt spray, dust, and others. The material of the
preferred configuration of the upper and lower flanges 4 consists
of stainless steel, able to withstand such weathering.
[0067] With the use of the device 13 for loading VLOCs, it is
possible to load the ship without it being necessary to open the
storage hold covers 10, introducing the device 13 only into the
opening of the hatch 5 to discharge the material inside the
basement.
[0068] Thus, it is not necessary to use sturdy structures to
perform the protection of the material disposed inside the storage
hold, since the hold cover 10 does not need to be opened to carry
out the ship loading.
[0069] This invention also consists of a method for loading very
bulk carriers that uses the device 13 described above. The ship
loading process comprises five steps, these being described in
detail below.
[0070] The first step consists in securing the device 13 to the end
of the nozzle 6 of the ship loader 7, this step being carried out
by the association of the upper flange 3 with the end of the nozzle
6 by means of fastening devices, for example, screws. It should be
noted that this first step is only carried out once, and it is not
necessary to remove the device 13 at each loading performed by the
same nozzle 6.
[0071] The second step consists in positioning the ship loader 7,
mainly of the nozzle 6, positioning it above the hatch 5 of the
storage hold cover 10 of the ship to be loaded. In this step, the
positioning of the nozzle 6 can be accomplished by both the mobile
base travel system (when it is not a fixed base ship loader 7) and
by the boom rotation system, ensuring precise positioning.
[0072] The third step consists in the positioning and fastening of
the device 13 to the hatch 5 of the storage hold cover of the ship.
This positioning consists of introducing the smooth hose 1 into the
opening of the hatch 5, allowing it to have access to the storage
hold.
[0073] The fixation of the device 13 is carried out by means of the
lower flange 4, which is associated with the hatch 5 of the storage
hold cover 10 by means of a locking or fixing screws, allowing the
smooth hose 1 not to leave the interior of the hatch 5 during
loading.
[0074] The fourth step consists of loading bulk material through
the device 13. In this step, with the device 13 already positioned
and secured, material is then discharged into the nozzle 6 of the
ship loader 7, with material passing through the entire length of
the nozzle 6 until it reaches the device 13.
[0075] Upon reaching the device 13, the bulk material discharged
into the nozzle 6 passes through the folding hose 2, thereafter by
the smooth hose 1, without interruptions or interference in the
flow, and is then dumped into the storage hold, until this hold is
duly filled and thus completing the fourth step.
[0076] During the fourth step, since the ship is at sea, it is
possible that it moves relative to the ship loader 7 according to
the waves. Such movements will be suitably absorbed by the folding
hose 2 so as to avoid excessive stresses in the nozzle 6 or the
hatch 5 of the storage hold cover 10.
[0077] The fifth step is only started when the storage hold being
loaded is already filled with the bulk material, i.e. when the
loading has been completed. The loading in rainy weather is
performed partially due to the material flow angle, and the
trimming step is required to complete the loading of the hold. The
trimming step is performed later, according to conventional
operating procedure and with stable weather.
[0078] Thus, with the loading already completed, the device 13 is
then disassociated from the hatch 5, allowing it to be moved again
to load other cargo holds or allowing the ship to finally be able
to follow the journey to carry the loaded material.
[0079] Dissociation of the device 13 is carried out by means of the
lower flange 4 which has been associated with the hatch 5 in the
third step. Thus, if the lower flange 4 has been fixed to the hatch
5 by means of a fitting, it will only be undocked. In another
situation, if the lower flange 4 has been secured by screws, the
screws are withdrawn to remove the device 13.
[0080] The steps, except the first, are then repeated until all
storage holds of the ships are loaded using the ship loading device
13. Each hold generally has two hatches 5 located on opposite
sides, arranged diagonally, and the loading is carried through the
two hatches, at different times, so that the distribution of the
cargo occurs, and the listing of ship is avoided.
[0081] Therefore, it is concluded that both the device 13 and the
method of ship loading achieve the intended purposes, so that both
make it possible to carry out loading operations for VLOCs even in
bad weather, thus avoiding contamination of the material being
loaded and the material already inside the storage hold.
[0082] In addition, this method does not require any type of robust
structure to carry out the ships loading, requiring only the use of
the device 13 associated with the hatch 5 of the hold cover 10,
significantly reducing the loading time and the cost of
equipment.
* * * * *